Re: Current cams and Sensors not being reliable enough for security, remember that WyzeXuLi has already mentioned they were working on a V3 cam. I assume that will launch with this system as an official “security cam” and the V2 sensors will also be “security grade” sensors. Allowing the other cams and sensors to work with the system is simply a customer convenience thing, not necessarily a claim that they are suddenly “security grade” ultra-reliable devices out of the blue.
I was really excited about this product until I read WyzeGwendolyn confirmed that a subscription for this product is absolutely mandatory (does this REALLY surprise anyone? I mean, look at their recent moves with PD, Video Doorbell, etc with hard pressure for subscriptions for things to function well). This being the case, don’t get your hopes up too much that it will be intentionally compatible with opensource projects like Home Assistant. However, that doesn’t mean that someone won’t hack the sensors or other devices so that they will work on other systems (after all they already hacked V1 sensors to work totally locally on Home Assistant, and some hacked a V2 with flashed firmware too, so it might happen anyway).
I assume part of the reason for the mandatory subscription is because in order to be a reliable security system they need 24/7 cloud recording. I understand that would require a subscription to meet real professional security standards. Still, we should have the option to choose not to do that, and just warn us that it is then not as reliable or whatever.
I definitely don’t want “professionals” looking at my feeds (aka let’s call it what it really is…some bored, minimum wage call center rep who hates their job but can spy on people any time, maybe constantly “monitoring” our video feeds at their leisure…maybe only when an alert is triggered…it’s all the same). I will never want a security system that gives anyone besides me or those few I trust with shared permissions access to my security system feeds. If there is a problem then I can choose to share the recording with law-enforcement or others later.
Wyze should have a free and subscription level of this similar to like what Alexa Guard does:
Obviously the free version would mean no emergency helpline calling, or “professionals” monitoring our feeds, or 24 hour cloud storage, or PD alerts (unless the new V3 is able to do it locally by then), I’m okay without any of that. What happens if I buy the system just to get the devices then cancel my subscription? Will the sensors and V3 cams or whatever other devices there are suddenly become completely non-functional? Could I continue to use sensors or other things in some way ie: still connected to the Wyze App with notifications, etc., just not the “security” hub? IDK, but I’d consider trying that if needed.
Hopefully some of the devices will be sold separately from the security system. I would love to by V2 sensors separate. I am hoping the V3 cams WyzeXuLi talked about working on aren’t solely available in this package. There are other things I’d consider buying or using separately too.
I’m reservedly excited for the new devices and progress, but concerned investors are pressing for forcing us into a locked-down system with required subscriptions in order to get any new stuff.